will be freed in autumn (Pakhomiya's brother), and not both. And then, both for the sake of their safety and for the sake of unification work, let them not forget about the extreme desirability of changing their place of residence from time to time. If, finally, it were possible to
win over the Committee in Petersburg, then of course one must force it to take up
*Iskra* with both hands, and its increased publication, and to struggle against all sorts of new handicraft enterprises.

Handicraft work is a far greater enemy than "Economism," because the deepest vital roots of Economism are, in our most profound conviction, precisely in handicraft work. And there will never be a political (not in words only, but in deed political, i.e., directly influencing the government and preparing a general assault) movement, so long as we have not overcome this handicraft work and have not undermined all credit toward it.

If Petersburg was purchasing 400 copies of the *Southern Worker*, then the "Socialist" group undertook to distribute 1000 copies of *Iskra*. Let them organize the distribution of such a quantity of copies, let them organize it so that there is a thorough Petersburg section in it (if necessary, it will constitute a separate supplement), and then that same task will be achieved which has overshadowed all other tasks of winning Petersburg for you. We consider it necessary to remind you that all "practitioners" agree that the *Southern Worker* has no advantage over *Iskra* in terms of accessibility to workers, so this argument also falls away. It is absurd and criminal to scatter forces and means—*Iskra* sits without money, not a single Russian agent delivers it a kopeck, and meanwhile everyone undertakes new enterprises requiring new means. All this testifies to a lack of steadfastness. One must be more patient: by means of our plan we shall achieve our goal, albeit not soon, but what one can count on in implementing the proposed plan is evident from the pitiful memory of the experience of the *Workers' Banner*. Our acquaintances took up their plan so precipitously that Yablochkov, contrary to agreement, went to Petersburg, abandoning Odessa, where our agent's presence is necessary. We demand that the
new plan be

abandoned. If our arguments seem unconvincing, let them postpone all new
plans until our congress, which we shall convene, if need be, when things somehow get settled. As for popular literature, the aim is indeed to expand the publication of popular pamphlets. This letter expresses the opinion not only of our
group, but also of the "Liberation of Labor" group.

in the journal *Red Chronicle*

copies (mail censorship)

Written in the second half of

July 1901

Sent from Munich to Vilna

First published in 1925

No. 4

Printed from a typewritten